Clovis schools employees to receive raises

CLOVIS — All Clovis Municipal Schools employees will receive a raise next year following the approval of the 2018-19 salary schedule at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Assistant Superintendent of Finance Shawna Russell said the Public Education Department mandated a $2,000 raise for each teacher level, but Clovis Municipal Schools’ salary structure already meets those benchmarks for Level II and III teachers.

Level I teachers will receive a pay raise between $100 and $1,900 to align with the PED guidelines. On average, teachers will receive a 2.5 percent pay increase.

The majority of departments also saw 2.5 percent raises, while administrative support saw the largest bump with 3.6 percent.

Russell said in total the salary increases, including benefits, adds up to about $2 million. She said money for the raises will come in part from the consolidation and elimination of 13 unfilled teaching positions and a cut to the maintenance and operation budget of about $500,000.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

• After much debate, the board unanimously voted to hold graduation on May 18 at 6 p.m. in 2019. Superintendent Jody Balch said graduation had to be held before classes get out on May 22 because the district needs teachers to help put on graduation, but holding graduation the week before could cause a conflict with potential state championship tournament competition.

The board selected May 18, a Saturday, with the hopes that the majority of the school’s state tournament participation would have concluded by then.

• Deputy Superintendent of Operations Carrie Bunce gave an overview of the district’s school safety measures. Bunce said a new phone application for students called” Stop It” allows students to report safety concerns, and receives about five reports per day.

Bunce said each school has received security camera upgrades and either has a new secured entrance in place, or will have one installed soon. She said the district is exploring other safety measures, including a program that would require a photo ID scan to enter a school.

• The board approved a resolution regarding the procurement of services by board member Paul Cordova. Cordova has been providing free disk jockey services to the district, and the resolution will allow Cordova to become an official vendor and receive payment.

Cordova abstained from the vote, as he will also have to do for any contract his company seeks. All other members voted to approve the resolution.

• The board honored several award winners. The district’s bands and choirs were recognized for their awards at the state championship contests this past month. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America program gave a presentation on the schools strong showing at last month’s leadership conference, including winning the state championship. Finally, Melanie Hemphill was honored as the district’s volunteer of the year.

• The board unanimously approved a travel request for the Air Force Junior ROTC program to attend the Regional Search and Rescue Competition in Aurora, Colorado, from June 1 to June 3.

• Marshall Middle School Principal Todd Morris provided an update on the school. Morris said the school’s i-station data shows growth among all grades in math and growth from all grades except seventh in reading.